Starbucks To Put Calorie Info On Menu Boards Of Its Stores

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) announced Tuesday that starting June 25, it will start posting calorie information on menu boards of all its stores in the United States. The Seattle-based coffee chain’s move comes ahead of a federal regulation that would make it mandatory to post nutritional information on menu boards.

FDA Regulation

Amid rising demand for healthy options across America, the Food and Drug Administration is working on the details of a regulation that will require companies with more than 20 stores to post calorie information on their menu boards. The regulation is likely to take effect in 2014. McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is already doing so. Americans gain more than 30 percent of their calories from eating out, says Margo Wootan, the nutritional policy director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Some parts of the country, like New York City, already require calorie counts on menus.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has more than 11,000 stores in the United States. The company said that customers can now see a small Iced Caffe Mocha contains 230 calories and a small caramel Frappuccino has 300 calories. Starbucks will also add calorie information on pastry cases for when customers want to choose a low calorie morning bun rather than high calorie blueberry scone.

Starbucks Has Already Taken Several Steps

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) also talked about the steps it has already taken to provide customers nutritional choices. That includes making 2 percent milk standard to make beverages, and adding sugar-free syrup. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) provides nutritional values on its iPhone app, website and brochures in cafes.

However, it’s not clear how displaying calorie counts on menu boards will affect which products people order. Maybe, they tend to choose a low-calorie option. Last year, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) said that posting calorie information hasn’t really changed its menu mix.

Though several large chains have started posting calorie information, a majority of firms are still waiting for the FDA’s final guidelines, said the National Restaurant Association.

Author: Vikas ShuklaAlthough he has a background in finance and holds an MBA, Vikas Shukla is a technology reporter. He has a strong interest in gadgets, gizmos, and science. He writes regularly on these topics. - He can be contacted by email at vshukla@valuewalk.com